Civil RightsCivil Rights

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Define the concept of Civil RightsDefine the concept of Civil Rights Describe the evolution of Civil Rights Describe the evolution of Civil Rights

in our Societyin our Society Explain the work still in progressExplain the work still in progress Explore possible solutions to Explore possible solutions to

continuing problemscontinuing problems

Key TermsKey Terms

Civil RightsCivil Rights Black CodesBlack Codes Jim Crow LawsJim Crow Laws Literacy TestLiteracy Test Poll TaxPoll Tax Urban SegregationUrban Segregation Affirmative ActionAffirmative Action

What are Civil What are Civil Rights?Rights?

Civil RightsCivil Rights refers to the refers to the positive acts governments positive acts governments take to protect against take to protect against arbitrary or discriminatory arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by government treatment by government or individuals.or individuals.

The Evolution of Civil Rights In America

Civil rights are operationalized by policies designed to Civil rights are operationalized by policies designed to protect people against arbitrary or discriminatory protect people against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by government officials or individuals. treatment by government officials or individuals.

The religion of American has always been freedom and The religion of American has always been freedom and equality is central to freedom. equality is central to freedom.

The Declaration of Independence states that “all men are The Declaration of Independence states that “all men are created equal.” created equal.”

But during much of American history, freedom, equality But during much of American history, freedom, equality and fundamental rights were not extended to minorities and fundamental rights were not extended to minorities and women. and women.

Racism and sexism might be thought of as America’s Racism and sexism might be thought of as America’s original sins. original sins.

We will examine the evolution of the extension of basic rights We will examine the evolution of the extension of basic rights to minorities and women; and more recently to issues of to minorities and women; and more recently to issues of discrimination related to age, disability, and sexual discrimination related to age, disability, and sexual orientation. orientation.

The central issue in civil rights is equality, or equal treatment, The central issue in civil rights is equality, or equal treatment, what that concept means, and how it should be extended and what that concept means, and how it should be extended and protected. protected.

Thomas Jefferson wrote the famous phrase “all men are Thomas Jefferson wrote the famous phrase “all men are created equal.” created equal.”

But Jefferson owned slaves. He said that he did not mean that But Jefferson owned slaves. He said that he did not mean that everybody was alike, or that there were no differences everybody was alike, or that there were no differences among human beings. among human beings.

Basically, Jefferson’s famous concept has come to mean that Basically, Jefferson’s famous concept has come to mean that everyone should have equality of opportunity; that is that everyone should have equality of opportunity; that is that everyone should have a chance to get ahead. everyone should have a chance to get ahead.

American society does not emphasize equal results or equal American society does not emphasize equal results or equal rewards; few American believe that everyone should earn rewards; few American believe that everyone should earn the same salary or have the same amount of property. the same salary or have the same amount of property.

The word equality does not appear in the Constitution, or in The word equality does not appear in the Constitution, or in the Bill of Rights. It is first included in the Constitution in the the Bill of Rights. It is first included in the Constitution in the 14th Amendment.14th Amendment.

It is written there in such a way as to be unclear about what It is written there in such a way as to be unclear about what it meant. it meant.

America’s struggle to extend basic rights to African America’s struggle to extend basic rights to African Americans blazed the trail for defining equality (not Americans blazed the trail for defining equality (not perfectly) and for doing a better job of securing equal rights perfectly) and for doing a better job of securing equal rights for all Americans.for all Americans.

Three eras delineate African American’s struggle for equality in Three eras delineate African American’s struggle for equality in America:America:

1. The era of slavery, from the beginning of colonization until 1. The era of slavery, from the beginning of colonization until the end of the Civil war in 1865 (about 250 years)the end of the Civil war in 1865 (about 250 years)

2. The era of reconstruction and resegregation from roughly 2. The era of reconstruction and resegregation from roughly the end of the Civil war until 1953the end of the Civil war until 1953

3. The era of civil rights, roughly from 1954 to the present3. The era of civil rights, roughly from 1954 to the present

In 1857 (Dred Scott v. Sandford) the Supreme Court ruled In 1857 (Dred Scott v. Sandford) the Supreme Court ruled that a black man, slave or free, was chattel and “so far that a black man, slave or free, was chattel and “so far inferior that they had no rights which the white man was inferior that they had no rights which the white man was bound to respect.”bound to respect.”

The Union victory in the Civil War resulted in the The Union victory in the Civil War resulted in the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862 and three amendments Emancipation Proclamation in 1862 and three amendments to the Constitution which would prove fundamental to to the Constitution which would prove fundamental to extending equality to African Americans.extending equality to African Americans.

Civil War AmendmentsCivil War Amendments

13th 1865:13th 1865: Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.any place subject to their jurisdiction.

(This amendment was ratified by Mississippi in 1995.)(This amendment was ratified by Mississippi in 1995.)

14th 1868:14th 1868: All persons born or naturalized in the United All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside... No the United States and of the State wherein they reside... No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United states; nor privileges or immunities of citizens of the United states; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law. person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law.

This amendment overruled the infamous Dred Scott decision This amendment overruled the infamous Dred Scott decision of 1857, but its guarantees would be widely ignored for of 1857, but its guarantees would be widely ignored for nearly a century. nearly a century.

The Fifteenth Amendment: 1870The Fifteenth Amendment: 1870

The right of citizens of the United States to vote The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by and States on account of race, color, or or by and States on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitudeprevious condition of servitude

Black Codes or Jim Crow Black Codes or Jim Crow LawsLaws

In reaction, the Southern states In reaction, the Southern states passed laws (Black Codes) that passed laws (Black Codes) that prohibited black Americans from:prohibited black Americans from: VotingVoting Sitting on juriesSitting on juries Or even appearing in public Or even appearing in public

placesplaces

                                      

Jim Crow LawsJim Crow Laws During the years of Jim Crow, state laws During the years of Jim Crow, state laws

mandated racial separation of many mandated racial separation of many places, including:places, including: schools schools restaurantsrestaurants hotelshotels public transportationpublic transportation theatrestheatres restroomsrestrooms

Many Jim Crow Laws banned interracial Many Jim Crow Laws banned interracial marriages.marriages.

These laws remained in effect These laws remained in effect throughout the Civil Rights Movement of throughout the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.the 1960s.

Major Civil Rights Acts and Supreme Court Decisions After the Major Civil Rights Acts and Supreme Court Decisions After the Civil WarCivil War

After the Civil War, Congress placed strict controls on the After the Civil War, Congress placed strict controls on the former confederate states and passed a number of civil rights former confederate states and passed a number of civil rights laws. laws.

However, in 1876, President Hayes pulled the federal troops However, in 1876, President Hayes pulled the federal troops out of the South and let the old slave states resume business out of the South and let the old slave states resume business as usual. as usual.

1866 - Civil Rights Act granting all citizens the right to 1866 - Civil Rights Act granting all citizens the right to make and enforce contracts, sue or be sued, give make and enforce contracts, sue or be sued, give evidence, and inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, or evidence, and inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, or convey property. convey property.

1873 - Supreme Court ruled that state citizenship and 1873 - Supreme Court ruled that state citizenship and national citizenship remained separate and distinct. In national citizenship remained separate and distinct. In effect, this decision stripped the 14th Amendment of its effect, this decision stripped the 14th Amendment of its powers to secure the Bill of Rights guarantees for black powers to secure the Bill of Rights guarantees for black citizens.citizens.

1875 - Civil Rights Act designed to guarantee blacks equal 1875 - Civil Rights Act designed to guarantee blacks equal access to public accommodations.access to public accommodations.

1876 - Supreme Court crippled congressional attempts to 1876 - Supreme Court crippled congressional attempts to protect the rights of black citizens by ruling that most rights protect the rights of black citizens by ruling that most rights were derived from state citizenship and therefore not protected were derived from state citizenship and therefore not protected by the federal government. by the federal government.

1876 - Supreme Court rules that the 15th Amendment did not 1876 - Supreme Court rules that the 15th Amendment did not guarantee the right to vote, it only listed grounds that could guarantee the right to vote, it only listed grounds that could not be used to deny that right.not be used to deny that right.

1883 - Supreme Court struck down the public accommodations 1883 - Supreme Court struck down the public accommodations section of the Civil Rights Act of 1875. Ruled that the federal section of the Civil Rights Act of 1875. Ruled that the federal government had no power over individual acts of government had no power over individual acts of discrimination.discrimination.

1896 - Supreme Court ruled (Plessy v. Ferguson) that states did 1896 - Supreme Court ruled (Plessy v. Ferguson) that states did not discriminate if they provided “separate but equal not discriminate if they provided “separate but equal accommodations.” accommodations.”

The Lone Dissenter in The Lone Dissenter in PlessyPlessy

Justice John Harlan showed foresight Justice John Harlan showed foresight when he wrote: when he wrote:

““Our Constitution is color-blind, and Our Constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens. In respect of civil among citizens. In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the rights, all citizens are equal before the law. In my opinion, the judgment this law. In my opinion, the judgment this day rendered will, in time, prove to be day rendered will, in time, prove to be quite as pernicious as the decision quite as pernicious as the decision made by this tribunal in the Dred Scott made by this tribunal in the Dred Scott casecase.”.”

The doctrine of “separate but equal” would survive for 58 The doctrine of “separate but equal” would survive for 58 years.years.

The period from roughly 1877 to the 1950s came to be The period from roughly 1877 to the 1950s came to be known as the era of “Jim Crow”: legal segregation and known as the era of “Jim Crow”: legal segregation and suppression of black Americans supplemented by white suppression of black Americans supplemented by white terror and economic coercion against blacks who tried to terror and economic coercion against blacks who tried to resist.resist.

By the mid-1940s civil rights activists had decided to fight By the mid-1940s civil rights activists had decided to fight discrimination in the Courts, Congress and the streets.discrimination in the Courts, Congress and the streets.

The “separate but equal” doctrine was finally overturned in The “separate but equal” doctrine was finally overturned in 1954 in the famous case of Brown v. Board of Education.1954 in the famous case of Brown v. Board of Education.

In 1955 the Supreme Court ruled that the Brown decision In 1955 the Supreme Court ruled that the Brown decision would be implemented “with all deliberate speed.” would be implemented “with all deliberate speed.”

The standard was extremely vague, but Brown was the The standard was extremely vague, but Brown was the catalyst for the modern civil rights movement. catalyst for the modern civil rights movement.

Brown v. Board of EducationBrown v. Board of Education (1954)(1954)

FiftyFifty-eight years after the -eight years after the Plessy Plessy decision the Court decision the Court struck down the "separate struck down the "separate but equal" doctrine in the but equal" doctrine in the landmark landmark Brown v. Board Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, of Education of Topeka, KansasKansas (1954)(1954) decision. decision.

3. The Civil Rights Movement3. The Civil Rights Movement The The Brown v. BoardBrown v. Board

decision sparked the decision sparked the development of the development of the modern civil rights modern civil rights movement.movement.

““With All Deliberate Speed:”With All Deliberate Speed:”School Desegregation After School Desegregation After

BrownBrown The Court struggled over a remedy.The Court struggled over a remedy. A year later, in A year later, in Brown IIBrown II (1955),(1955), the the

Court ruled that segregated systems Court ruled that segregated systems must be dismantled “with all must be dismantled “with all deliberate speed.”deliberate speed.”

Central High School and Governor Central High School and Governor Orval Faubus illustrated the long and Orval Faubus illustrated the long and costly battle to end segregation.costly battle to end segregation.

Non-Violent ProtestsNon-Violent Protests Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

advocated a nonviolent advocated a nonviolent approach to forcing social approach to forcing social change. King modeled his change. King modeled his philosophy on that of Gandhi, philosophy on that of Gandhi, who successfully employed the who successfully employed the nonviolent approach in an nonviolent approach in an Indian revolt against the British Indian revolt against the British shortly after World War II.shortly after World War II.

1955 - Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to sit in the 1955 - Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to sit in the segregated section of a public bus. Her arrest led to a year-segregated section of a public bus. Her arrest led to a year-long boycott of the public transit system of Montgomery, long boycott of the public transit system of Montgomery, Alabama lead by Dr. Martin Luther King. Alabama lead by Dr. Martin Luther King.

1956 - A federal court issued an injunction against the 1956 - A federal court issued an injunction against the segregation of buses in Montgomery; giving the civil rights segregation of buses in Montgomery; giving the civil rights activists a major victory. activists a major victory.

1957 - President Eisenhower sent federal troops to Little 1957 - President Eisenhower sent federal troops to Little Rock, Arkansas to quell the violence associated with efforts Rock, Arkansas to quell the violence associated with efforts to integrate Central High School. to integrate Central High School.

1960 - Four black students started the sit-in movement in 1960 - Four black students started the sit-in movement in Greensboro, North Carolina. Greensboro, North Carolina.

1961 - Freedom Riders rode buses through the South to 1961 - Freedom Riders rode buses through the South to publicize the fact that interstate transportation was still publicize the fact that interstate transportation was still segregated. segregated.

1962 - The University of Mississippi was integrated.1962 - The University of Mississippi was integrated.

1963 - The University of Alabama was integrated.1963 - The University of Alabama was integrated.

1963 - Dr. King led massive demonstrations against 1963 - Dr. King led massive demonstrations against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. The national segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. The national press documented peaceful demonstrators being press documented peaceful demonstrators being brutalized by police dogs, fire hoses, and cattle brutalized by police dogs, fire hoses, and cattle prods.prods.

From a Birmingham jail, Dr. King wrote a defense of nonviolent From a Birmingham jail, Dr. King wrote a defense of nonviolent civil disobedience as a method of forcing change in unjust civil disobedience as a method of forcing change in unjust laws (Letter from a Birmingham Jail). laws (Letter from a Birmingham Jail).

1963 - Dr. King led a massive demonstration in Washington, 1963 - Dr. King led a massive demonstration in Washington, D.C. in quest of jobs and freedom. Before some 200,000 D.C. in quest of jobs and freedom. Before some 200,000 people Dr, King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. people Dr, King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech.

1963 - Two weeks later a black church in Birmingham was 1963 - Two weeks later a black church in Birmingham was rocked by a dynamite blast that killed four young girls rocked by a dynamite blast that killed four young girls attending Sunday school. attending Sunday school.

1965 - Dr. King organized a march from Selma, Alabama to 1965 - Dr. King organized a march from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery to dramatize racial barriers to black voting in that Montgomery to dramatize racial barriers to black voting in that state. State-troopers, acting on orders of Governor George state. State-troopers, acting on orders of Governor George Wallace, beat and gassed the marchers. President Johnson Wallace, beat and gassed the marchers. President Johnson federalized the Alabama National Guard and sent them in to federalized the Alabama National Guard and sent them in to protect the marchers. protect the marchers.

1965 - the beginning of the ghetto riots. Significant riots in 1965 - the beginning of the ghetto riots. Significant riots in 1966, 1967 and heavy rioting in 1968 set off by the 1966, 1967 and heavy rioting in 1968 set off by the assassination of Dr. King. A major riot broke out in assassination of Dr. King. A major riot broke out in Washington, D.C. within blocks of the White House. Washington, D.C. within blocks of the White House.

Civil Rights Act of 1957Civil Rights Act of 1957

1.1. Provided that persons denied the right to Provided that persons denied the right to vote could seek injunctive relief from the vote could seek injunctive relief from the federal district courts.federal district courts.

2.2. Created the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Created the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to carry out investigations of racial to carry out investigations of racial discrimination. discrimination.

3.3. Established a Civil Rights Division in the Established a Civil Rights Division in the Department of Justice. Department of Justice.

4.4. Authorized the U.S. Attorney General to Authorized the U.S. Attorney General to seek court injunctions against practices that seek court injunctions against practices that deprived blacks of voting rights.deprived blacks of voting rights.

The Civil Rights Act of 1960The Civil Rights Act of 1960

1.1. Federal judges or federal referees could be authorized Federal judges or federal referees could be authorized to register qualified blacks that had been discriminated to register qualified blacks that had been discriminated against by local officials. against by local officials.

2.2. Local officials were required to keep all voting records Local officials were required to keep all voting records for at least twenty-two months, and to make them for at least twenty-two months, and to make them available to the U.S. Attorney General upon request. available to the U.S. Attorney General upon request.

3.3. Acts of violence and actions designed to deny citizens Acts of violence and actions designed to deny citizens the right to vote or to obstruct a federal court order the right to vote or to obstruct a federal court order were made federal crimes. were made federal crimes.

(In the Southern states many methods were being used (In the Southern states many methods were being used to keep black citizens from voting. Literacy tests, good to keep black citizens from voting. Literacy tests, good character tests, reference requirements, registration character tests, reference requirements, registration harassment, denial based on small errors, and the Poll harassment, denial based on small errors, and the Poll Tax.)Tax.)

The Civil Rights Act of 1964The Civil Rights Act of 1964

1.1. Prohibited discrimination in public accommodations. Prohibited discrimination in public accommodations.

2.2. Prohibited the application of different standards to black Prohibited the application of different standards to black and white voters by registrars, and outlawed the and white voters by registrars, and outlawed the rejection of black voting applications because of rejection of black voting applications because of immaterial errors or omissions. immaterial errors or omissions.

3.3. Literacy tests had to be in writing and could not consist Literacy tests had to be in writing and could not consist of arbitrary standards adopted by local registrars. A of arbitrary standards adopted by local registrars. A sixth-grade education in an American school would sixth-grade education in an American school would serve as a presumption of literacy.serve as a presumption of literacy.

4.4. Prohibited job discrimination because of race, color, sex, Prohibited job discrimination because of race, color, sex, religion, or national origin by employers or labor unions. religion, or national origin by employers or labor unions.

5.5. Provided that federal funds to public or private Provided that federal funds to public or private programs that practice discrimination be terminated. programs that practice discrimination be terminated.

The Civil Rights Act of 1965The Civil Rights Act of 1965Qualification: Literacy Test/Less than 50% Voted in 1964Qualification: Literacy Test/Less than 50% Voted in 1964

1.1. All qualifications for voting except citizenship, age, All qualifications for voting except citizenship, age, residency, and criminal record had to be eliminated. residency, and criminal record had to be eliminated.

2.2. Use of literacy tests or similar devices was suspended for Use of literacy tests or similar devices was suspended for five years. five years.

3.3. If local officials continued to discriminate against blacks, If local officials continued to discriminate against blacks, federal officials could be sent in to register blacks. federal officials could be sent in to register blacks.

4.4. To insure that black voters could safely go to the polls and To insure that black voters could safely go to the polls and have their vote counted, federal poll watchers could be sent have their vote counted, federal poll watchers could be sent into the county.into the county.

5.5. To prevent the target states and counties from making To prevent the target states and counties from making electoral changes that might adversely affect black voters, electoral changes that might adversely affect black voters, any changes in voting laws or practices had to be cleared any changes in voting laws or practices had to be cleared by the Attorney General or the Federal District Court of by the Attorney General or the Federal District Court of Washington D.C. Washington D.C.

Sample Questions from a Literacy TestSample Questions from a Literacy TestState of LouisianaState of Louisiana

One wrong answer denotes failure of the testOne wrong answer denotes failure of the test. . (10 min)(10 min)

1.1. Draw a line around the number or letter of this sentence. Draw a line around the number or letter of this sentence.

2.2. Draw a line under the last word in this line.Draw a line under the last word in this line.3.3. Cross out the longest word in this line.Cross out the longest word in this line.4.4. Draw a line around the shortest word in this line.Draw a line around the shortest word in this line.5.5. Circle the first, first letter of the alphabet in this line.Circle the first, first letter of the alphabet in this line.6.6. In the space below draw three circles, one inside the other.In the space below draw three circles, one inside the other.7.7. Above the letter Above the letter XX make a small cross. make a small cross.8.8. Draw a line through the letter below that comes earliest in Draw a line through the letter below that comes earliest in

the alphabet. the alphabet. ZVSEDGMKYTPHCZVSEDGMKYTPHC9.9. Draw a line through the letter below that comes last in the Draw a line through the letter below that comes last in the

alphabet. alphabet. ZVSEDGMKYTPHCZVSEDGMKYTPHC10.10. In the space below write the word noise backwards and In the space below write the word noise backwards and

place a dot over what would be its second letter should it place a dot over what would be its second letter should it have been written forward.have been written forward.

11.11. Give your age in days.Give your age in days.

1966 - The Supreme Court ruled that the poll tax (still used 1966 - The Supreme Court ruled that the poll tax (still used in five Southern state) was unconstitutional. The Court in five Southern state) was unconstitutional. The Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to impose any charge for ruled that it was unconstitutional to impose any charge for voter registration or voting for state or federal officials. voter registration or voting for state or federal officials.

The Voting Rights Act was renewed and expanded in 1970, The Voting Rights Act was renewed and expanded in 1970, 1975, and 1982.1975, and 1982.

1975 - Required bilingual ballots in all states.1975 - Required bilingual ballots in all states.

Required federal approval of election law changes in Required federal approval of election law changes in covered statescovered states..

Civil Rights ProgressCivil Rights Progress

Research shows that how well groups do in our society Research shows that how well groups do in our society depends substantially upon:depends substantially upon:

A.A. Level of discrimination they face. Level of discrimination they face.

B.B. Education and wealth of groupEducation and wealth of group

c. c. Commitment to education.Commitment to education.

d.d. Quality of schools, neighborhoods and environments. Quality of schools, neighborhoods and environments.

e.e. Match of values with mainstream (commitment to hard Match of values with mainstream (commitment to hard work, family, planning for the future).work, family, planning for the future).

Progress After Passage of Civil Rights LawsProgress After Passage of Civil Rights Laws

A.A. Decline of violence. Violence was worse just before the laws were Decline of violence. Violence was worse just before the laws were passed. passed.

B.B. Higher voter registration, voter turnout, increases in minority Higher voter registration, voter turnout, increases in minority representation. representation.

C.C. Services to minority neighborhoods improved with minority Services to minority neighborhoods improved with minority representation. representation.

D.D. Sensitivity to minority needs improved with representation. Sensitivity to minority needs improved with representation.

E.E. Income gains have been substantial, but still lagging. Income gains have been substantial, but still lagging.

F.F. Increase in role models—over 50 percent of black Americans are Increase in role models—over 50 percent of black Americans are middle to upper income earners. middle to upper income earners.

G.G. Educational gains have been substantial. Educational gains have been substantial.

H.H. More positive racial attitudes—especially on the part of white More positive racial attitudes—especially on the part of white people.people.

Some Major Problem AreasSome Major Problem Areas

Public SchoolsPublic Schools

1. Urban segregation.1. Urban segregation.

2. Poor quality of minority schools/poorly financed in 2. Poor quality of minority schools/poorly financed in many instances.many instances.

Job DiscriminationJob Discrimination1. Still easy to document.1. Still easy to document.

HousingHousing1. Still seriously segregated, but mostly because of 1. Still seriously segregated, but mostly because of income.income.

Percentage of African American and Latino Percentage of African American and Latino Students in Segregated Schools, 1972-1999Students in Segregated Schools, 1972-1999

The Civil Rights Revolution Opened The Civil Rights Revolution Opened Southern Politics to African-AmericansSouthern Politics to African-Americans

Changes in Black and White Participation in Changes in Black and White Participation in Presidential Elections, by RegionPresidential Elections, by Region

Percentage of Delegates to Republican Percentage of Delegates to Republican and Democratic National Conventions and Democratic National Conventions

Who Are African AmericansWho Are African Americans

Percentage of Blacks Living Percentage of Blacks Living Outside the SouthOutside the South

Blacks and Whites Differ Greatly Blacks and Whites Differ Greatly in Their Views About Race Relations in Their Views About Race Relations

and Racial Policyand Racial Policy

Evaluation of Civil Rights as the Evaluation of Civil Rights as the Country’s Most Important ProblemCountry’s Most Important Problem

Black Representation in State and Black Representation in State and Local Government Workforce Is Local Government Workforce Is

Higher Than in Private SectorHigher Than in Private Sector

Hispanic Representation in State and Hispanic Representation in State and Local Government Workforce Is Lower Local Government Workforce Is Lower

Than in Private SectorThan in Private Sector

Post-Civil Rights EraPost-Civil Rights Era

I.I. Republican Positions: Republican Positions:

a.a. The civil rights laws and numerous court decisions have The civil rights laws and numerous court decisions have eliminated most discrimination, and these decisions are eliminated most discrimination, and these decisions are still in place. still in place.

b.b. The day of Affirmative Action is over. AA violates basic The day of Affirmative Action is over. AA violates basic principals of fairness and was designed for only a limited principals of fairness and was designed for only a limited time period. AA was designed to overcome overt time period. AA was designed to overcome overt discrimination, not to promote diversity. discrimination, not to promote diversity.

c.c. Society’s obligation is to provide equal opportunity, not Society’s obligation is to provide equal opportunity, not to guarantee equal results.to guarantee equal results.

d.d. Those who continue to fail to realize the American Those who continue to fail to realize the American dream may need to work harder. dream may need to work harder.

E. E. Some minorities and other citizens fail because of a lack Some minorities and other citizens fail because of a lack of a serious work ethic, a failure to take advantage of of a serious work ethic, a failure to take advantage of educational opportunities, drug and alcohol abuse, crime, educational opportunities, drug and alcohol abuse, crime, sexual promiscuity, and out-of-wedlock births. sexual promiscuity, and out-of-wedlock births.

F.F. The key for future minority success is work/education The key for future minority success is work/education and family—just as it is for everyone else.and family—just as it is for everyone else.

II. Democratic positionsII. Democratic positions

a.a. More fractured now, policies are less clear and less More fractured now, policies are less clear and less unanimous. Clinton moved Democratic Party toward the unanimous. Clinton moved Democratic Party toward the middle. middle.

b.b. Many Democrats believe that racism is still a serious Many Democrats believe that racism is still a serious problem. Most Democrats support vigorous enforcement of problem. Most Democrats support vigorous enforcement of laws and programs to help low-income people. laws and programs to help low-income people.

c.c. Still support AA, but in more limited forms—increasingly Still support AA, but in more limited forms—increasingly focusing on income rather than race. focusing on income rather than race.

d.d. Liberal wing still supports traditional social policies, Liberal wing still supports traditional social policies, especially for “deserving” poor. especially for “deserving” poor.

e.e. Some blame American culture for corrupting Some blame American culture for corrupting youth/Cornell West/Republicans tend to agree.youth/Cornell West/Republicans tend to agree.

CourtsCourts

a. Now more conservativea. Now more conservative

b. AA must be temporary and cannot use race as a b. AA must be temporary and cannot use race as a specific criterionspecific criterion

c. Alternative - Developmental AA for all low-income c. Alternative - Developmental AA for all low-income peoplepeople

If the civil rights movement has left problems If the civil rights movement has left problems unsolved, what can government do now? unsolved, what can government do now?

1.1. Improve public schools/access to higher Improve public schools/access to higher educationeducation2.2. Reduce Out-of-wedlock births - especially Reduce Out-of-wedlock births - especially among among teens.teens.3.3. Better welfare system - supported work. Better welfare system - supported work.4. 4. Improve cultureImprove culture5.5. Support developmental AA Support developmental AA 6. Support full employment economy6. Support full employment economy

SummarySummary

The central issue in civil rights is equality, The central issue in civil rights is equality, or equal treatment, what that concept or equal treatment, what that concept means, and how it should be extended and means, and how it should be extended and protected. protected.

A series of supreme court cases as well as A series of supreme court cases as well as a long series of Civil and Voting Rights a long series of Civil and Voting Rights Acts, many focused around the civil rights Acts, many focused around the civil rights movement, have made substantial movement, have made substantial progress toward eliminating progress toward eliminating discrimination.discrimination.

SummarySummary

Despite great progress made in terms of Despite great progress made in terms of voting and access to basic services and voting and access to basic services and education There is, however, still more to be education There is, however, still more to be done to address remaining discrimination in done to address remaining discrimination in housing and employment and educational housing and employment and educational opportunities.opportunities.

There are differing views on how to proceed There are differing views on how to proceed but many suggest that most remaining but many suggest that most remaining inequalities, like differences in the quality inequalities, like differences in the quality are the result of differences in incomeare the result of differences in income

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

Is the Civil Rights Movement over? How Is the Civil Rights Movement over? How has it evolved since the days of Martin has it evolved since the days of Martin Luther King Jr. and his non-violent Luther King Jr. and his non-violent protesters? protesters?

Does racial discrimination still exist in the Does racial discrimination still exist in the realm of employment? If so what role realm of employment? If so what role should Affirmative Action take in should Affirmative Action take in overcoming at least its affects?overcoming at least its affects?

What can be done to overcome urban What can be done to overcome urban segregation?segregation?

AppendixAppendix

Public Opinion on Gay Rights Has Public Opinion on Gay Rights Has Changed as Gay and Lesbian Changed as Gay and Lesbian

Political Activism Has IncreasedPolitical Activism Has Increased

In 1961, President Kennedy created a In 1961, President Kennedy created a Commission on the Status of Women. The Commission on the Status of Women. The Commission’s report, titled “Commission’s report, titled “American American Women,Women,” detailed pervasive discrimination ” detailed pervasive discrimination against women.against women.

The Feminine MystiqueThe Feminine Mystique (1963)(1963) added to added to the dawning recognition that something was the dawning recognition that something was wrong.wrong.

Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 included Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 included a prohibition against gender discrimination, a prohibition against gender discrimination, the EEOC failed to enforce the law.the EEOC failed to enforce the law.

The Women’s Rights The Women’s Rights MovementMovement

Hispanic Americans Hispanic Americans borrowed tactics from borrowed tactics from the African American the African American civil rights movement civil rights movement including sit-ins, including sit-ins, boycotts, marches, and boycotts, marches, and activities that drew activities that drew publicity.publicity.

The Hispanic community The Hispanic community also relied heavily on also relied heavily on litigation strategies.litigation strategies.

MALDEF and others have MALDEF and others have been successful in been successful in expanding rights and expanding rights and opportunities for opportunities for Hispanics.Hispanics.

Hispanic AmericansHispanic Americans

"One of the heroic figures of our time."

Senator Robert F. Kennedy

Cesar Estrada Chavez founded and led the first successful farm

workers' union in U.S. history.